The original rubble stone walls that formed the foundation for a greenhouses adjacent to the Steam Plant Building provided heat to several greenhouses on the estate propoerty. The Root House, which is to the north of the Greenhouse Foundation Wall, provided storage for the farm operation.
The original rubble stone walls that formed the foundation for a greenhouses adjacent to the Steam Plant Building provided heat to several greenhouses on the estate propoerty. The Root House, which is to the north of the Greenhouse Foundation Wall, provided storage for the farm operation.
Heritage Value
The outbuildings at 'Fairacres' are a rare surviving architecturally-designed ensemble of agricultural structures that exist in complementary harmony with the main estate house. Architect Robert Mackay Fripp (1858-1917), an outspoken advocate of Arts and Crafts design, was retained by the Ceperleys to design several original outbuildings on their estate, which was designed as a country estate with a working farm that included over 10 acres of productive berry and vegetable fields, with a large kitchen garden, a root house to store food, an orchard, and greenhouses heated by steam. The agricultural potential of the Deer Lake area made it one of the first parts of the municipality to attract settlement.
In 1909, the Ceperleys built three large greenhouses heated by an adjacent steam plant (Fairacres Steam Plant). The greenhouses featured granite foundation walls, including this one which remains intact. The Ceperleys employed a large staff to manage the estate's agricultural production, including Chinese farm labourers. Produce was grown for use at the estate, and for sale at local markets. Agricultural use of the estate continued when a Catholic order of Benedictine monks purchased the estate as part of the Priory of St. Joseph and the Seminary of Christ the King, and continued to farm the land until 1953.
Defining Elements
Key elements that define the heritage character of the ‘Fairacres’ Steam Plant Building include its:
- overall spatial arrangement of the Greenhouse Foundation Wall in relation to the Steam Plant Building and the Root House
- original rubble stone walls reflecting the Arts and Crafts design aesthetic of the estate buildings.
Designed in the British Arts and Crafts style, the ‘Fairacres’ Steam Plant Buiding is a single-storey wood frame building with a gabled roof that originally housed the apparatus for climate control in the greenhouses, formerly located to its north. The original rubble stone walls that formed the fo…
Designed in the British Arts and Crafts style, the ‘Fairacres’ Steam Plant Buiding is a single-storey wood frame building with a gabled roof that originally housed the apparatus for climate control in the greenhouses, formerly located to its north. The original rubble stone walls that formed the foundation for the greenhouses stand adjacent. The Steam Plant Building stands as a pendant to the Root House, which is to the north of the former greenhouses.
Heritage Value
The outbuildings at 'Fairacres' are a rare surviving architecturally-designed ensemble of agricultural structures that exist in complementary harmony with the main estate house. Architect Robert Mackay Fripp (1858-1917), an outspoken advocate of Arts and Crafts design, was retained by the Ceperleys to design several original outbuildings on their estate.
The Ceperleys operated 'Fairacres' with staff, a farm manager and workers, including Chinese, to grow produce for themselves and for sale at local markets. The Steam Plant Building illustrates the market gardening activity of the area around Deer Lake and its importance to the Ceperley family, which valued a year-round supply of fresh fruit and vegetables for the kitchen and flowers for the house. It also illustrates the cultural and aesthetic values of the Ceperleys in retaining an architect to design a functional outbuilding using an accepted and contemporary architectural style. Built in 1908, the Steam Plant Building was significantly altered in the 1960s and restored to its original design in 2000.
Defining Elements
Key elements that define the heritage character of the ‘Fairacres’ Steam Plant Building include its:
- overall spatial arrangement of the Steam Plant Building in relation to the former greenhouses and the Root House
- side gable roof with cedar shingle cladding.
- tall brick chimney indicitive of the building's original function.
- distinctive Arts and Crafts architectural features such as the shingle wall cladding with decorative shingling under window sills, deep eaves, and pebble-dashed concrete foundation walls
- six-paned wooden-sash casement windows
- simple functional interior features
- rubble stone walls that formed the foundation for the greenhouses
The ‘Fairacres’ Root House is a long, low one-storey masonry building, measuring 4.6 metres by 9.1 metres, with massively buttressed concrete walls and foundations. Built into sloping ground adjacent to the location of the former greenhouses, the surviving orchard and the kitchen entrance of the ma…
The ‘Fairacres’ Root House is a long, low one-storey masonry building, measuring 4.6 metres by 9.1 metres, with massively buttressed concrete walls and foundations. Built into sloping ground adjacent to the location of the former greenhouses, the surviving orchard and the kitchen entrance of the main house, 'Fairacres,' this functional structure was used as a frost-free store for fruit and vegetables for the family's use.
Heritage Value
The outbuildings at 'Fairacres' are a rare surviving architecturally-designed ensemble of agricultural structures that exist in complementary harmony with the main estate house. Architect Robert Mackay Fripp (1858-1917), an outspoken advocate of Arts and Crafts design, was retained by the Ceperleys to design several original outbuildings on their estate.
The Root House is important as a rare surviving, and exceptionally large, example of this building type in the Vancouver region. Unusual in the fact that an architect designed a building of such modest aspirations, it is also remarkable in its method of construction. The use of concrete as a structural material is one of the earliest in the region and extraordinary for its use on such a modest vernacular outbuilding; root cellars were typically built of loose stone. Built in 1908, the Root House was significantly altered in the 1960s and restored to its original design in 2000.
The building is significant as an indicator of the market gardening activity in the area around Deer Lake and of the country-house self-sufficiency practiced by the Ceperley family. The Root House illustrates the cultural, aesthetic, and lifestyle values of the Ceperleys in constructing such a large building for storing their own produce.
Defining Elements
The outbuildings at 'Fairacres' are a rare surviving architecturally-designed ensemble of agricultural structures that exist in complementary harmony with the main estate house. Architect Robert Mackay Fripp (1858-1917), an outspoken advocate of Arts and Crafts design, was retained by the Ceperleys to design several original outbuildings on their estate.
The Root House is important as a rare surviving, and exceptionally large, example of this building type in the Vancouver region. Unusual in the fact that an architect designed a building of such modest aspirations, it is also remarkable in its method of construction. The use of concrete as a structural material is one of the earliest in the region and extraordinary for its use on such a modest vernacular outbuilding; root cellars were typically built of loose stone. Built in 1908, the Root House was significantly altered in the 1960s and restored to its original design in 2000.
The building is significant as an indicator of the market gardening activity in the area around Deer Lake and of the country-house self-sufficiency practiced by the Ceperley family. The Root House illustrates the cultural, aesthetic, and lifestyle values of the Ceperleys in constructing such a large building for storing their own produce.
1 photograph : sepia ; 8 x 5.5 cm on page 14 x 17.5 cm (pasted in album)
Scope and Content
Photograph of Claude Hill on a hay rake being pulled by the workhorse, "Tom." His daughter, Kitty, wrote the caption "Dad at Deer Lake" next to this photograph.
1 photograph : sepia ; 8 x 5.5 cm on page 14 x 17.5 cm (pasted in album)
Description Level
Item
Record No.
477-183
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
2007-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of Claude Hill on a hay rake being pulled by the workhorse, "Tom." His daughter, Kitty, wrote the caption "Dad at Deer Lake" next to this photograph.
1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 8 cm on page 11.5 x 14 cm (pasted in album)
Scope and Content
Photograph of a man (probably Claude Hill) with a horse and hay rake, tending to a field of hay. Kitty Hill is in the foreground holding some loose hay. This photograph was likely taken on the Hill farm, known as Brookfield.
1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 8 cm on page 11.5 x 14 cm (pasted in album)
Description Level
Item
Record No.
477-074
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
2007-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of a man (probably Claude Hill) with a horse and hay rake, tending to a field of hay. Kitty Hill is in the foreground holding some loose hay. This photograph was likely taken on the Hill farm, known as Brookfield.
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.2 x 17.6 cm mounted on cardboard 22.7 x 27.4 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a farm with men, a horse and wagon, and children in a field.
An annotation on the back of one of the photos reads,
"The foreground farm property stood at the corner of Sperling Avenue (formerly known as the Pole Line Road) and Buckingham. The white house in the left centre was the …
1 photograph : b&w ; 12.2 x 17.6 cm mounted on cardboard 22.7 x 27.4 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of a farm with men, a horse and wagon, and children in a field.
An annotation on the back of one of the photos reads,
"The foreground farm property stood at the corner of Sperling Avenue (formerly known as the Pole Line Road) and Buckingham. The white house in the left centre was the residence of Miss Woodward, her mother and sister. It was the first post office at 'Burnaby Lake' and the site of the kindergarten school of Miss Harriet Woodward. It later became the United Church. / The open field in the distance above the horse's head and people in the field is the field in front of the 'Manor House' which was built by Mr. Bateman in the 1920's. To the right of and beyond the white house partly hidden by the trees can be seen some of the buildings associated with the Hill farm on Deer Lake Ave. which by the date (1909) of this photo had been sold. The distant tall trees (center) stand on the site of the Municipal Buildings (DesBirsays Woods)."
An annotation on the back of the other photograph reads, "Formerly belonging to Malcom Nicolson / App. 1908."
Annotations at the bottom front of the photograph read, "L. Claude Hill's Farm, Burnaby, BC."
Text on first image
"L Claude Hill's Farm, Burnaby B C", incorporated into the image at the bottom edge of the photograph.
"app 1909" pencilled in following above on the bottom edge of the image
"L. Claude / Hill / Broadview", pencilled on the matt below the image.
"The foreground farm property stood at the / Corner of Sperling Ave. (formerly known as Pole Line Road) / and Buckingham. The white house in the left / centre was the residence of Miss Woodward, her mother / and sister. It was the first post ofice at "Burnaby Lake" / and the site of the kindergarten school of Miss / Harriet Woodward. It later became the United / Church. / The open field in the distance above / the horses head and people in the field is / the field in front of the "Manse House" which / was built by Mr. Bateman in the 1920's. To the / right of and beyond the white house partly hidden / by the trees can be seen some of the buildings / associated with the Hill farm on Deer Lake Ave. / which by the date (1909) of this photo had been / sold. The distant tall trees (center) stand on the site of / the Municipal Buildings (DesBirsays Woods)", hand written in blue ink on the reverse side of the matt. It is not indicated who wrote the note.
"OR MASTER / 973.40.4", pencilled in the lower right corner of reverse side of matt.
"W. T. COOKSLEY / NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C."printed with very little contrast on the gray mattboard, below the lower right corner of the photograph
Text on second image.
"L Claude Hill's Farm, Burnaby B C", incorporated into the image at the bottom edge of the photograph.
"Claude surveying the haying", pencilled on the reverse side of the matt.
"Formerly belonging to Malcolm Nicholson / app 1908", hand writen in blue ink on the reverse side of the matt.
"H.V.973.40.4. OR. MASTER", hand printed on the bottom left corner of the reverse side of the matt.
"W. T. COOKSLEY / NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C."printed with very little contrast on the gray mattboard, below the lower right corner of the photograph
1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 17 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
Scope and Content
Photograph of a farmer driving a team of two horses mowing hay in a field. The photograph bears the caption "Mowing at Gaines' farm" and is accompanied by a notation in the album indicating that the field was across Douglas Road from Brookfield, the home of Claude Hill. This property belonged to …
1 photograph : b&w ; 12 x 17 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
Description Level
Item
Record No.
477-867
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
2007-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of a farmer driving a team of two horses mowing hay in a field. The photograph bears the caption "Mowing at Gaines' farm" and is accompanied by a notation in the album indicating that the field was across Douglas Road from Brookfield, the home of Claude Hill. This property belonged to Claude's brother Bernard Hill and was later known as 4990 Canada Way. The man is unidentified. In the background to the west can be seen Burnaby Lake and to the left the Pole Line Road (later Sperling Avenue) and to the right, Douglas Road and an unidentified house. This is the current location of the Kensington Avenue freeway interchange.
1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7.5 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
Scope and Content
Photograph of Kitty Hill riding on her horse Tom, who is pulling a hay rake. The photograph was taken at the Hill family farm on Deer Lake Avenue, known as Brookfield. This is the current site of the Burnaby Village Museum.
1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 7.5 cm on page 21.5 x 28 cm (pasted in album)
Description Level
Item
Record No.
477-861
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
2007-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of Kitty Hill riding on her horse Tom, who is pulling a hay rake. The photograph was taken at the Hill family farm on Deer Lake Avenue, known as Brookfield. This is the current site of the Burnaby Village Museum.
1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 10.2 cm on page 14 x 17.5 cm (pasted in album)
Scope and Content
Photograph of horse, "Tom," pulling a hay rake through a field. The photograph appears to have been taken at the home of Claude Hill in the Burnaby Lake area.
1 photograph : sepia ; 5.5 x 10.2 cm on page 14 x 17.5 cm (pasted in album)
Description Level
Item
Record No.
477-179
Access Restriction
No restrictions
Reproduction Restriction
No known restrictions
Accession Number
2007-12
Scope and Content
Photograph of horse, "Tom," pulling a hay rake through a field. The photograph appears to have been taken at the home of Claude Hill in the Burnaby Lake area.
Photograph of a young man in a garden among brambles. He appears to be looking into a beehive set up among the shrubbery. A house with a large covered patio area is partially visible in the background.
Photograph of a young man in a garden among brambles. He appears to be looking into a beehive set up among the shrubbery. A house with a large covered patio area is partially visible in the background.
Photograph of a young man standing in a garden among brambles. He appears to be holding up his hand swarmed by bees. By his feet, there is a beehive set up among the brambles. A house and a barn are partially visible in the background.
Photograph of a young man standing in a garden among brambles. He appears to be holding up his hand swarmed by bees. By his feet, there is a beehive set up among the brambles. A house and a barn are partially visible in the background.
Photograph of a young man standing in a garden among brambles. He appears to be holding up his hand swarmed by bees. By his feet, there is a beehive set up among the brambles. A house and a barn are partially visible in the background.
Photograph of a young man standing in a garden among brambles. He appears to be holding up his hand swarmed by bees. By his feet, there is a beehive set up among the brambles. A house and a barn are partially visible in the background.
Photographic postcard of a labourer grappling with a large log on the log chute at the Barnet mill. The caption to the card reads: "A Good Size Log / Barnet B.C." The Barnet Mill was called the North Pacific Lumber Company from 1889 to 1914.
Photographic postcard of a labourer grappling with a large log on the log chute at the Barnet mill. The caption to the card reads: "A Good Size Log / Barnet B.C." The Barnet Mill was called the North Pacific Lumber Company from 1889 to 1914.
Photograph of nine men mostly dressed in suits with ties surrounded by tools and equipment. Three older men are seated in the front and the rest are standing behind them. An accompanying note in the accession file identifies the photograph as a BC Electric workshop, with Claude Hill (son of Bernard…
Photograph of nine men mostly dressed in suits with ties surrounded by tools and equipment. Three older men are seated in the front and the rest are standing behind them. An accompanying note in the accession file identifies the photograph as a BC Electric workshop, with Claude Hill (son of Bernard Hill) at top right, and Jack Lister seated in the centre.
Photograph of men in work clothes clearing Doulgas Road. A group of men to the right side of the photograph have shovels in their hands and are clearing rocks from the road. There is a small girl in a blouse and skirt standing beside two horses pulling a cart. Behind her is a group of men in wor…
Photograph of men in work clothes clearing Doulgas Road. A group of men to the right side of the photograph have shovels in their hands and are clearing rocks from the road. There is a small girl in a blouse and skirt standing beside two horses pulling a cart. Behind her is a group of men in work clothes as well. There is fenced land to the right of the photograph, and electric power poles and trees line both sides of the road. The accession register and inscription on the photograph identify this as Douglas Road (later renamed in part Canada Way). An annotation on the back of the photo reads: "Working on Douglas Road on hill above Burnaby Lake. No Date."
Photograph of three unidentified men standing in front of a very large tree stump. The man in the centre of the picture is holding an axe. Two axes are in the tree. A large two-man saw lies on the ground in front of the tree. An caption in blue ink on a separate label below the photograph reads…
Photograph of three unidentified men standing in front of a very large tree stump. The man in the centre of the picture is holding an axe. Two axes are in the tree. A large two-man saw lies on the ground in front of the tree. An caption in blue ink on a separate label below the photograph reads, "Falling Trees at / Burnaby, B.C."
This portion of the interview pertains to John Burton's description of the Linotype machine, as well as the history of his grandfather, John Foley, founder of the Orangeville Sun newspaper.
This portion of the interview pertains to John Burton's description of the Linotype machine, as well as the history of his grandfather, John Foley, founder of the Orangeville Sun newspaper.
Recording is of an interview with John Burton at his residence in Surrey by Lynda Mauve Orr, August 24, 1989. This interview focuses on the history of newspaper and printing presses in Canada.
Biographical Notes
John Burton was born in 1912 in New Westminster. He went to Second Street School, then Edmonds, then Saint Anne's Convent, and St. Louis College and Connaught before graduating from Burnaby South School in 1930.
While at High School, John worked at Cowan's Music Store at 716 Columbia Street in New Westminster on Saturdays and after school.
John Burton's grandfather John Foley was the founder of the Orangeville Sun newspaper in Orangeville, Ontario, established in 1861. He ran the paper until his death in 1882, when his son, John Foley Jr. took over as editor and publisher at the age of sixteen. Two of his daughters were involved in the newspaper; Margaret Foley was a regular contributor to the paper, and John Burton's mother was a typesetter.
When John Burton was a teenager, he went to Orangeville to learn the trade from his uncle. Unfortunately, he was only there eighteen months when his uncle died December 21, 1932. The family was unable to hold on to the business and the paper amalgamated with the Orangeville Banner newspaper in 1933.
Interview was digitized in 2010 allowing it to be accessible on Heritage Burnaby. The digitization project was initiated by the Community Heritage Commission with support from City of Burnaby Council and the BC History Digitization Program of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, University of British Columbia. It was recognized by the Heritage Society of BC with an award in 2012.
Images
Audio Tracks
Track five of interview with John Burton by Lynda Maeve Orr
Track five of interview with John Burton by Lynda Maeve Orr